Venezuela’s future is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute April 23

MEDIA ADVISORY

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Venezuela’s future is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute April 23

HOUSTON – (March 26, 2019) – A panel of experts including Julio Borges, former president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, will gather at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy April 23 to examine the evolving politics, economics and oil industry of the crisis-stricken country.

The event, hosted by the Baker Institute’s Center for Energy Studies and Latin America Initiative, is free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/2002.

Who: Panelists Julio Borges, former president of the National Assembly of Venezuela; Alejandro Grisanti, president of Ecoanalítica; and Francisco Monaldi, the fellow in Latin American energy policy at the Baker Institute.

Erika de la Garza, senior adviser for the Latin America Initiative, will serve as moderator.

What: A panel discussion titled “Venezuela: What’s Next?”

When: Tuesday, April 23, 6-7:30 p.m. A reception will be held at 5:30.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

Venezuela was once the wealthiest democracy in South America. Today, despite having the largest oil reserves in the world, Venezuela is in crisis, with hyperinflation, food shortages, escalating crime and the mass emigration of more than 3 million people in the last few years, according to event organizers. In January, most Western democracies declared Nicolás Maduro, the fraudulently elected incumbent president, as illegitimate. Instead, Juan Guaidó, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, has been recognized as the country’s interim president. The U.S. and other countries have also imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela in an attempt to help restore democracy to this troubled nation.

A live webcast of the event will be available at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/2002.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media should park in the Central Campus Garage (underground).

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Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top three university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.